An OPP officer has been charged with assault after an alleged incident that occurred in the Dufferin County area.

On Thursday (March 2), the OPP announced Const. Michael Gentle, a 10-year veteran of the OPP, had been charged with assault causing bodily harm.

Gentle, who has been a member of the OPP since April 2006, is currently assigned to the OPP’s Southern Georgian Bay Detachment. He has been suspended from duty with pay.

The charges relate to an incident occurring in the Dufferin County area within the last few weeks. The OPP reports Gentle was off duty when the alleged incident occurred.

Since the matter is now before the courts, OPP corporate communications media relations officer Sgt. Peter Leon said he was unable to provide any further details into the case.

“I can’t speak to the specifics. That does form part of the evidence that is now before the courts,” he said. “We will have to allow for any information to come out as the matter progresses through the judicial system.”

The incident was brought to the OPP’s attention by way of a complaint. After launching an investigation, the OPP’s professional standard bureau charged Gentle with assault.

“The OPP holds its members accountable for their actions, both on-duty and off-duty,” Leon said. “This is an isolated incident and we can say there is no current public safety concern.”

The charge has not been proven in court. Gentle is scheduled to answer to the allegations in Orangeville court on March 28.

The OPP Professional Standards Bureau has charged an OPP officer as a result of an investigation into an incident that occurred while the officer was off duty.

As a result of the investigation, Provincial Constable Michael Gentle, who has been a member of the OPP since April 2006 and currently assigned to the Southern Georgian Bay Detachment, has been charged with one count of Assault Causing Bodily Harm.

He has been suspended from duty with pay and is scheduled to appear at in Orangeville Court on March 28, 2017.